This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Fritsch, T. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

HIV/AIDS and the Older Adult: An Exploratory Study of the Age-Related Differences in Access to Medical and Social Services

This exploratory study investigated the experiences that older adults infected with HIV/AIDS had accessing medical and social services, and compared their experiences to those of younger infected adults. Thirty-four individuals between ages 30 and 65 were interviewed, and data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The study found that overall, older adults aged 50-plus were able to access the medical and social services they needed to cope with being infected. Most study participants reported positive experiences with accessing medical services. Like younger adults, older adults accessed a variety of medical services and organizations, although to a slightly lesser degree. Older adults also accessed a variety of social and emotional supports and social organizations to a similar or greater degree than younger adults. The older adults’ positive and directive attitude, knowledge of the disease, and available supports, in addition to living in the gay community, explain their ability to access services.

Key Words: older adult • service • attitude • gay community • knowledge • HIV/AIDS

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?